Damien Johnson is a musical enigma, an independent artist who tries his hand at all genres, and one of the greatest advocates for Ipswich art and music that you will ever encounter.
“I’m really happy for you to describe me as a musical enigma – I think I will steal that,” Damien chuckles.
“Primarily, I just see myself as a creative being, as I think most people are.”
Confident with guitar in hand, he also plays drums, didgeridoo and harmonica – while also dabbling between genres and unrestrained within a specific genre box.
He looks to his previous mental health and depression battles and attributes music to playing a huge part in finding the way out of those shadows.
“When I was 16, I really started to have the inclination that depression was a big issue for me,” he said.
“I was going through a period of feeling very suicidal and my Dad gave me a guitar.
“He said ‘Look, you seem to have all this emotional weight on your shoulders, why don’t you try and manifest that to something creative’.”
With the announcement that 32-year-old music venue The Zoo would be closing in July, with other venues to follow suit, Damien said it was essential that they remain open to keep the music scene alive.
“I think it helps us find our own sense of roundedness and our own sense of identity,” he said. “We are living in an unprecedented age of mental health issues.
“A lot of research shows that people do better mentally when they have a sense of belonging and a sense of community around them.
“These venues are creating those spaces for people.”
Earlier this month, the State Government announced the recruiting of a Night Life Economy Commissioner to be appointed to support the industry, with the role supported by funding as part of the Budget.
Damien sees significant opportunities for the role.
“It’s great that they’re looking at ways on how we make it more sustainable and affordable,” he said.
“One of the big problems is actually creating an environment that fosters a strong demand for live, local, and original music.
“I don’t think we have that at the moment.”
Damien will continue to be an advocate for Ipswich arts and the local music scene with a next-stop performing at the closing ceremony in Darcy Doyle Place at the SPARK Festival next month.
